Tony Hilkin is a seasoned leader with over 25 years in the behavioral health field in St. Louis. Tony’s leadership is rooted in his clinical experience, particularly his passion for serving the unhoused. Tony has been with PFP since 2008 and currently leads Places for People (PFP) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Before being named CEO in March of 2024, Tony served as our Senior Vice President of Clinical Administration.

Tony began at PFP as an intake and outreach coordinator before being tapped as the organization’s first Director of Quality improvement. Over the years, Tony has played a key strategic role in PFP earning federal grants related to homeless services, particularly in implementing data-driven frameworks and processes. Tony was instrumental in PFP becoming the first designated Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization (CCBHO) in the St. Louis region. In July of 2021, Tony was named Senior Vice President of Administration. In his current role, Hilkin implements continuous improvement (CI) tools and methodologies at all levels of the agency to improve PFP’s organization, clinical, and business processes. Tony continues to champion DEIB efforts at PFP.

Tony moved to St. Louis in 1997 and began work at St. Patrick Center, providing direct service to homeless men and women as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Before PFP, Tony worked and lived full-time on location at Karen House, a house of hospitality shelter for women and children, for eight years. Tony remains a committed homeless advocate, often providing rides and connecting resources to unhoused people outside of his professional roles.

I am constantly energized by PFP's mission and values. We are committed to a higher social good for the St. Louis community. PFP has a positive and strong work culture that is invested in improving the lives of the people we serve.